Real Salt Lake will wrap up the 2016 preseason slate on Saturday when the team splits into two groups – one facing FC Tucson in a 45-minute scrimmage in the morning and the other meeting Columbus Crew SC in the second match of the Desert Diamond Cup at 5 p.m. MT.
In a preseason that has been rife with competition, players will be doing battle for roster spots and lobbying for opportunities for playing time throughout the day.
In the morning match, the group that played 90 minutes on Wednesday against the New England Revolution will get some extra work in before next week facing Tigres in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals in Monterrey, Mexico. After earning a 3-3 draw despite playing down a man for nearly the entire second half, RSL will have another opportunity to build on its fitness and sharpness ahead of the pivotal season-opening clash in Champions League.
Then in the evening match, RSL will meet the defending Eastern Conference champion Crew in a match that will be streamed live on RSL.com. In that contest, Head Coach Jeff Cassar will look to evaluate his younger talent while getting 90 minutes of action for players vying for starting spots. The stiff competition in the Desert Diamond Cup will put those players to the test as they look to impress.
Youthful talents like SuperDraft selections Amass Amankona and Max Lachowecki will have one more opportunity to show their wares while returning players like Jeff Attinella, John Stertzer and Olmes Garcia will lead the team against Columbus.
